Laparoscopic total fallopian tube removal at the time of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in BRCA2 positive women.

About 10% of all serous ovarian cancer has BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutations. Recent data showed that following the SEE FIM protocol it is possible to evidence more fimbriae cancers. Due to those studies, fallopian tube cancer in recent years has become the predominant site of cancer in BRCA1 and/or 2 mutation carriers. The pathological study of the fallopian tube is not complete during salpingo-oophorectomy because a small part (intramural site) is situated inside the uterus. In this case report we demonstrate how it is possible to remove the tubes entirely for pathological analysis without hysterectomy by laparoscopic surgery.

Overall survival in BRCA-associated ovarian cancer: case-control study of an Italian series.

About 10% of all ovarian cancers are due to BRCA 1 and/or BRCA 2 mutations. Some studies have shown that patients belonging to this group have a better survival compared to sporadic groups but data are still inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate overall survival in patients with ovarian cancer and germ-line mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes in comparison to high-risk patients, defined as patients with ovarian cancer and a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer, but who tested negative for the BRCA mutation. We collected all the clinical features and did follow-up. The two groups showed similar characteristics concerning age at diagnosis, histological type and stage. Grade 3 was more frequent in the BRCA group. Survival data did not show any advantage for the BRCA mutated group.

The value of the prognostic factors in ovarian granulosa cell tumors.

The malignant potential of granulosa cell tumors (GCT) of the ovary is much debated. This study includes 18 patients with a diagnosis of GCT of the ovary. Clinical and pathologic data from patients were compared with flow cytometry ploidy, Ki-67 reactivity and p53 overexpression in order to determine their prognostic usefulness. There was no correlation between ploidy and stages or between ploidy and biological behavior. On the other hand, mitotic count, Ki-67 reactivity and p53 overexpression were associated with stages of disease, recurrent onset and survival. We believe that ploidy, Ki-67 and p53 should be considered important prognostic factors for GCT in association with the other more studied prognostic factors, even if no conclusions can be reached.

Petrol ingestion poisoning in a pregnant woman.

A 38-week pregnant patient, weighing 70 Kgs, with poisoning by petrol ingestion, showing mixed acidosis and with a fetus with cardiotocographic alterations and oligohydramnios, underwent an urgent caesarean section under general anaesthesia. After 15 days from ingestion no complications were observed, the mother's vital parameters were normal and no severe complications were seen in the newborn (2900 g; 49 cm). There are no similar cases of intense hydrocarbon ingestion in pregnant women as far as we know. Thus, in order to evaluate the toxicity of such chemical agents on pregnant patients and fetuses, we must consider the quantity of ingested hydrocarbons, gestation time and metabolism modifications which physiologically occur during pregnancy.

Prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c-erbB-2 protein overexpression in adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.

The authors studied the prognostic value of EGFR and c-erbB-2 overexpression in adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. The aim of this research was to find a new pathway to prognosis for more adequate therapy.